The infamous KG5 Seaman London Docks.

[Tony Mullen]

Tony Mullen wishes all the thousands of shipmates all the best possible wishes for 2021.
Running around the London Docks in the 60's and early 70's was when the British Seamen ruled the waves
it was party time all over the world when people were happy and the old Pound note could buy a good time anywhere.
`They were great years, 50,000 Seamen and Ships filled the Docks all over England.
stop for a minute and remember all of our friends we sailed with, many gone but the memories are there for us to remember,
we are never dead if people are still talking about us so don't be shy in laughing at or with your mates, humor is what kept us all going'
it wasn't the money that's for sure, it was comradery so raise your glass lads to all of our old friends.
Happy New Year ,so cheer up my lads stuff em all.

[happy daze john in oz]

That was what kept us all going when times were tough.
We stuck together through thick and thin, helped our mates when they needed it and always managed to find a friendly bar somewhere.
Most of those are now long gone though, but memories never go, hang on the them forever because that is all that is left of the Great British Merchant Navy,

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Thank you Tony, I would like to follow you and say A Happy New Year to all our mates on site, I would also like to send a special one to Eric over there in The States, one of our few remaining wartime servers, he, as a radio operator, god willing that he is still having a tipple.
Des

[Robert M Hughes]

KG5 - my first trip to sea on the Highland Monarch as 3rd R/O - magic moment off to South America. Many, many ships berthed going all over the world. Very thankful for my great times at sea and importantly pre the container era!
All the best for 2021.
Bob

[Doc Vernon]

KG5 that was my first Port of call after signing up in Cape Town as 1st Class Asst Stwd on the old Dunnottar Castle , what a memorable trip as a first! Great places i saw on that journey and although it was extreemely Foggy on arrival, managed to catch a glimpse of the lovely White Cliffs of Dover, then the massive Dock Area of KG5 i was astonished!
The hustle and bustle going n there was something else to see!
Yes great times had.

Experienced my first Ride in a London Black Cab too, that was a Buzz all the wat from KG5 to Putney. Met a Guy on Board that invited me to his Mums Place there, and what a time she gave me , (No John in Oz not that time LOL) really lovely Lady and she treated me like a King. Wish we had a bit longer shore leave then.

Cheers

[Royston Harvey]

I agree it was a great time I had 12 yrs with Port Line and never regretted a minute
R Harvey Ex C/R/e

[happy daze john in oz]

All now long gone, much taken up by the city airport.
Canary wharf now a major financial center.
The Thames and docks as we know them are no more.
The character of the area is so different now, all the hustle and bustle we knew gone.
No longer the cranes with jibs like the necks of some giant birds stretching out to claim their catch.
No more the cry of the dockers as the nets full of cargo slowly wound their way to the wharf.

But with your inner eye you can still recall all this, it is in your memory, all that is needed to release it is the will to remember those times.
Times we were lucky to have, times the world will never see again.

It was our time and no one can take that from us.

[Doc Vernon]

Yes remember a few Years back on my Holiday there John just how much things have changed, i couldnt recognise many places around the old Dock Area, and was saddened really by the changes as to me anyway it sort of spoils the real ols time London Docks!
Cheers

But times roll on i guess!

[john alan parnell]

Tony Mullen wishes all the thousands of shipmates all the best possible wishes for 2021.

it wasn't the money that's for sure, it was comradery so raise your glass lads to all of our old friends.
Happy New Year ,so cheer up my lads stuff em all.

good on you tony ..remember it well.i was in the vindi in 1953.my last job was on the coast as i was waiting to immigrate to aussi..been here ever since..yes good old days and good ship mates,,regards john parnell camden town .london

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
I was like you Vindi 49, then my last ship was on the coast waiting to emigrate to NZ, where i went on the coast, in 57
Des